BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – The University of South Carolina Beaufort women's basketball team opened the 2025 season on Friday evening with a 75–66 victory, powered by a dominant fourth quarter in which the Sand Sharks scored 33 points and outscored the Panthers by 14.
The win marks the first season-opening victory for USCB since the 2023–24 campaign as the Sand Sharks start the season 1–0.
USCB had a balanced offensive effort with four players scoring in double figures, led by Lydia Gattozzi, who posted 22 points on eight made field goals. Gattozzi was one of two Sand Sharks to record a double-double, joined by Janiyah Heyward, who tallied 13 points and 11 rebounds. USC Beaufort controlled the glass throughout the night, finishing with a 40–28 rebounding advantage, including 21 offensive rebounds.
Gattozzi opened the scoring for the 2025 season in just over the first minute of play at the 8:50 mark. The Sand Sharks jumped out to a 4–0 lead before a layup by Taniyah Bowman. Ferrum answered with a three-pointer to get on the board, sparking a run that gave the Panthers their first lead. The deficit was short-lived as USCB's defense forced a steal leading to a fastbreak layup by Gattozzi to regain the lead. She went on to score the final four points of the quarter, giving the Sand Sharks a 14–10 advantage after one.
Ferrum responded in the second quarter, opening with a run to take a 16–15 lead. Later in the quarter, Breyana Kimmons of Ferrum College knocked down a three to tie the game at 21–21. The teams traded baskets before Ferrum gained a 28–27 lead and closed the half on a run to take a 33–27 advantage into the break.
In the third quarter, USCB chipped away at the deficit, getting within two after a Sami Bardonaro layup set up by a Heyward steal. However, Ferrum continued to hold off the Sand Sharks, stretching the lead back to five on a three-pointer by Gracie Beane. A late free throw by Courtney Campbell made it 47–42 Panthers heading into the final quarter.
At the 7:18 mark of the fourth, trailing 54–49, USCB's comeback began. A Bri Pelote layup off a Heyward assist sparked the run, eventually tying the game at 56–56 on a Madison Self layup. Moments later, a Bardonaro three-pointer put the Sand Sharks ahead for good. USCB extended the lead with a Bowman jumper, followed by a Heyward three-pointer to make it 64–58. Bardonaro pushed the lead to double digits for the first time, and the Sand Sharks' largest lead grew to 11 before securing the 75–66 victory.
USCB went 3-for-3 from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter including 9 of 12 overall, fueling the late surge that sealed the season-opening win. The defense forced four turnovers in the final quarter.
USC Beaufort will conclude play in the 2025 Regional Challenge on Saturday evening, tipping off around 7:30 PM against UVA Wise following the Ferrum vs. Georgia Southwestern game.
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